ANNUAL REPORT 2023: HIGHLIGHTS OF OUR IMPACT AND ACHIEVEMENTS

In the face of mounting challenges to democracy and civil liberties, 2023 was a pivotal year for human rights defenders in Kenya. The Defenders Coalition witnessed the impact of sustained attacks on the civic space, which manifested in unlawful restrictions on fundamental rights such as the right to protest, associate, and engage with the government. However, amidst these adversities, we also witnessed remarkable resilience and progress in the fight for justice and accountability.

Some of the consequences of unchecked assaults on the civic space took the form of a surge in abuse of power, corruption, and disregard for the rule of law. These factors compounded the risks faced by human rights defenders across the country. Despite these challenges, the Defenders Coalition remained steadfast in its belief that concerted efforts could reverse these dangerous trends.
Throughout the year, human rights defenders from diverse backgrounds came together in powerful coalitions and networks to advocate for change. Whether advocating for ecological justice, minority rights, social justice, or good governance, defenders united under international human rights laws and systems and their voice resonated loudly, challenging complacency and demanding accountability from those in power.

In September 2023, hundreds of human rights defenders protested the government’s inaction on climate change’s impact and its impact on the safety of environmental defenders. Part of this vigilance was robust pursuit of a petition in court on rights of sexual minorities and marginalized groups. Their advocacy yielded significant wins, including affirmations of LGBTQ+ rights and legal accountability for alleged perpetrators of extrajudicial killings.

Further, precedent-setting rulings, such as the case involving environmental rights defender Joel Ogada, a human rights defender who has faced several persecutions because of his stand against the incursion into his farm and those of other farmers at Kanagoni area in Malindi by a Salt Company. Among the challenges that he has faced are multiple criminal and civil cases engineered against him, which is a form of harassment, intimidation and tactic to subdue him. In one of the cases he was sentenced to 7 years in prison for alleged arson of property of the Kurawa Salt company, which was reduced to 2 years when Defenders Coalition appealed the sentence. When he served time, his family
home and food crops were destroyed. This case underscored the importance of judicial protection for defenders facing persecution.

Reflecting on these victories, we recognize four key factors that contributed to our success: the tireless work of human rights defenders who protested bad governance and advocated for the implementation of the 2010 constitution, the collaboration with networks of like-minded peer organizations, the strategic leveraging of international human rights mechanisms and lastly, the sovereignty of the Constitution of Kenya. As we celebrated milestones such as the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the 25th anniversary of the Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, we reaffirmed the integral role of defenders in realizing human rights.
As the Defenders Coalition commemorates its 16th anniversary of excellence, professionalism and utmost reliability to the needs of human rights defenders, the need to support human rights defenders has never been greater. Our strategic plan emphasizes the importance of empowering rights holders, collaborating with partners, and embracing innovation to address evolving challenges effectively as well as seeking the full implementation of the CoK 2010.

We sincerely thank human rights defenders, partners, donors, and stakeholders for their unwavering support. Let us stand in Solidarity with defenders, recognizing their invaluable contributions to advancing human rights in Kenya and beyond.

This annual report provides a comprehensive overview of our work and impact. Let us reaffirm our commitment to upholding human rights and supporting those who defend them, for they drive our collective pursuit of justice and equality.

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